Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has slammed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what he terms as too much politics.

Speaking on Monday, September 23, 2024, in Nairobi during the COTU National Trade and Investment Workshop, Atwoli suggested that a deputy president should be an appointee and not a running mate of the president.

“The position of deputy president must remain of appointment and there would be no these circus you hear. The deputy president should be an appointee of the president, not a running mate. Once he becomes a running mate he thinks he is also a president,” Atwoli stated

“President William Samoei Ruto is out of the country and he (Gachagua) is on top of his car. Now he’s the real president, misleading people, misguiding the nation. He must be arrested.”

Atwoli has further accused the second in command of contradicting his boss as well as government policies, despite being in government.

“You can’t be contradicting government policies and contradicting your own president. A deputy president is supposed to play fool. Don’t even be heard unless you are told you’ll be heard now. We cannot have two presidents at the same time,” Atwoli added.

Censure motion against Gachagua

This comes moments after Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana filed a censure motion against Gachagua, amid reports of an impeachment motion in the offing.

Mungatana says in his motion that the second in command has contravened Article 75 of the Constitution stipulating the conduct with which state officers should carry themselves.

“Aware that pursuant to Article 147 of the Constitution, the holder of the Office of the Deputy President is the principal assistant to the President making the Office a symbol of national unity whose holder must at all times respect, uphold and safeguard the Constitution; promote and enhance the unity of the Nation, and promote respect for the diversity of the people and communities of Kenya,” the motion reads in part.

“Concerned that Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H. on several occasions since his assumption to the Office of Deputy President, has made utterances, among others, regarding employment opportunities to Kenyans in the public service; allocation of resources to the devolved units; and incitement of a section of Kenyans to disobey lawful directives by some county governments.”

Mungatana opines that the utterances of Gachagua have contravened Article 10 of the constitution and have caused heightened further ethnic tensions in the country.

“Now, therefore, the Senate, pursuant to Standing Order 101(1), expresses its displeasure and disappointment with the conduct of Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H., as the Deputy President of Kenya and censures him,” the motion states.

Gachagua speaks

Gachagua, who is allegedly facing impeachment, says he has been harassed, warning that the direction the Kenya Kwanza government has taken will irreparably crumble their house.

“To my boss, President William Ruto, be cautious and do the right thing. Let us not re-introduce the politics of the tribe. Our people hate betrayal and are very unforgiving when betrayed. That is my advice which must not be necessarily taken. Please let’s get back to work and fulfill the promises we made to Kenyans,” Gachagua said during a dedication service of PEFA Church Cathedral in Thika town on Sunday, September 22, 2024.

“I am comforted that the God who stood with Ruto when he was being humiliated is still alive.”

He called on President Ruto to intervene and quell the political infighting within the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“We are one nation. I am asking the President to put his house to order so that we can work for Kenyans. We are only one-and-a-half years in office and the Kenya Kwanza administration is being targeted be people who did not support the President. If there is any problem I am asking the President to do the right thing and put his house together,” Gachagua said.

“Let us work for the people and implement the election manifesto. I am comforted by the fact that when things were difficult for President Ruto in the previous, God stood with him. We have a country to run and we need to be careful not to create untimely distractions. Let us not create a situation where there will be instability. We want to support the President as he serves Kenyans and so that he can succeed”.